State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhith on Saturday said the government has launched a special project to bring children with disabilities in both rural and urban areas under the public healthcare system.
He said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has developed a major project to extend healthcare services for children with disabilities to the upazila level. The new national budget, set to be passed on June 30, has allocated specific funds for persons with disabilities, as well as for disability assessment and reduction.
Muhith made the remarks while inaugurating the CSF Centre in Korail slum in the capital and formally launching its services. The centre began operations under the theme: "Disability assessment, rehabilitation, and inclusive healthcare for the development of every child's potential."
Highlighting efforts to expand healthcare services for persons with disabilities at the grassroots level, the state minister said the DGHS has formulated an integrated project aimed at ensuring that every child with disabilities living in cities, urban areas or remote villages comes under government healthcare services. Special programs will be implemented in every upazila across the country under the project.
Muhith said true progress lies in ensuring the human development and equal rights of every disadvantaged person in society. He added that the government is bringing fundamental changes to its policymaking, budgeting and administrative framework to ensure persons with disabilities enjoy rights equal to those of other citizens.
He also said the state is making permanent structural changes so that children with disabilities and other medical conditions are not neglected and can become part of mainstream society through education, employment and a normal life.
The state minister said the government is also undertaking long-term initiatives through the Ministry of Education to ensure equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities. Teachers at mainstream educational institutions at the district and upazila levels are receiving advanced training so that children with special needs can study alongside other students with equal dignity. Measures are also being taken to make school environments and infrastructure more accessible and suitable for children with disabilities.
Referring to underprivileged children living in the Korail slum, Muhith said the Shishu Swarga program, inaugurated there by Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of the prime minister, will continue throughout the year. Specialist physicians from the country's leading hospitals and institutes will regularly provide medical services to marginalised children at the CSF Centre.
Among others, Prof Dr Jalal Uddin Muhammad Rumi, director (Administration) at the Directorate General of Health Services; Brig Gen Imrul Qayes Chowdhury, chief health officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC); and Abu Isa Mohammad Moeen Uddin, secretary general of the CSF Centre, also spoke at the inauguration ceremony.
